Yankees' Aaron Judge Ties McGwire First-Inning Home Run Record

Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees has tied a major league record by hitting 11 first-inning home runs through his team's first 78 games, matching St. Louis Cardinals legend Mark McGwire's 2000 mark. Judge's 28 home runs this season rank second in the majors, with nearly 40% of them coming in the first inning, demonstrating his ability to set the tone early in games. Despite his individual success, the Yankees struggled in a recent loss to the Cincinnati Reds, going 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position and leaving nine men on base. Judge's recent production includes overcoming a tough stretch in mid-June, as he has returned to form with multiple hits, home runs, and walks in his last five games. Additionally, Judge has surpassed Hank Aaron in total home runs over the first 10 seasons of his career, further cementing his place among baseball's elite sluggers. While Judge continues to excel offensively, the Yankees have faced pitching challenges, including injuries and reliance on less experienced arms, contributing to their inconsistent team performance.